Santa Fe High School (Florida)

The consolidated Santa Fe High School was conceived in 1954 to replace schools in High Springs, Newberry and Alachua.^[5] The school opened in 1956. The school mascot was originally the Rebels, but was later changed to the Raiders in 1970 when the school was integrated by federal court order.^[6] The school colors are red and gray.

Cleathet Hathcock Sr. was a teacher and principal at the school who also served on the city council and as mayor.^[7] A community center is named for him.^[8]

Santa Fe has ranked within the top 5 public high schools out of 18 in Alachua County, the top 40% of public high schools in the State of Florida, and the top 30% of public high schools in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report.^[9]

Santa Fe has three magnet programs: the Institute of Biotechnology, which combines with the Biomedical Mustangs magnet program at A.L. Mebane Middle School to offer a track for students to become licensed and experienced to either continue their education at the Santa Fe College Perry Center for Emerging Technologies (also in Alachua), or enter the workforce in one of the several emerging technology companies located within the City; the Academy of AgriScience; and the Academy of Veterinary Assisting.^[10]

The football team has won two state championships, 1991 and 1994 and was State Runner-Up in 1969.^[11]

Boys basketball was State Runner-Up in 2021.^[12]

The baseball team won the 1975 State Championship and was Runner-Up in 1972. The 1968 team became the first athletic team in school history to advance to a Final Four. The squad dropped a Semifinal affair to Monsignor Pace 5-0 in 10 innings. In 1971 Ray Gallop became the first athlete to be selected in the MLB draft going in a late round to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Years later LHP Lenny DiNardo was selected by the Boston Redsox and became the first Raider baseball player to advance to the Big Leagues where he collected a World Series Ring as a member of the 2004 Redsox. Santa Fe left-handed pitcher Kirby Snead was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB Draft of 2016. Snead, like DiNardo enjoyed a long career in the Majors with multiple teams. ^[13]

The girls volleyball team won the 2021 and 2022 FHSAA 4A State Championship and was State Runner-Up in 2018 and 2019.^[14][15]

Girls Track and Field was State Runner-Up in 2001, and Boys Track and Field was State Runner-up in 1985.^[16]

Boys Weightlifting were State Champions in 1987 and 1990 and State Runner-Up in 1981, 1982, 1985, and 1991.^[17]

The boys soccer team has won a total of three district championships in 2012, 2013, and 2019.^[18]

Girls softball is a perennial powerhouse with numerous District Championships anchored by the 2005 team that reach as high as number 8 Nationally. The 2005 squad reeled off a school record 29 consecutive wins before dropping a heart breaker to Navarre in the Regional Semifinals.

The "Raider Regiment" marching band has won eight state championships, five consecutively from 1999 to 2003, then again in 2005, 2009 and 2010.^[19]

• Gina Crews, graduated in 1991; starred in Survivor Marquesas 2002
• Craig Fugate (born 1959) - Former administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency